How to Correctly Use A and An

The dictionary is your friend.

The words "a" and "an" are articles and are often confused in writing. To correctly use "a" and "an," follow a few simple rules.

Exceptions exist in all English language rules, including when to use "a" and "an." The key to knowing when to use the correct article is how the word sounds that the article modifies. Steps 3 and 5 detail these exceptions. Here's how to correctly use "a" and "an."

Things You'll Need

• knowledge of when to use the correct article "a" and "an"

Instructions

1. Letters--A Primer

   The letters a, e, i, o, and u are vowels.

   All of the other letters are consonants.

2. ~~A~~

   Use the article "a" before most all words that begin with a consonant. Some examples of words that begin with consonants are boy, scooter, and tree.

   A boy rode a scooter past a tree.

3. An exception to this rule is for some words that begin with the letter "h."

   Use the word "an" before words that begin with "h" when the "h" doesn't make a sound, such as honorable and honest.

   An honorable judge made an honest mistake when he let the man go free.

   For other words that begin with "h" and the "h" is heard, such as hammer and hat, use the article "a."

   A hammer made a loud noise. I wore a hat today.

4. ~~An~~

   The article "an" is used before words that begin with vowels--a, e, i, o, u. Words that begin with vowels are apple, elephant, igloo, orange, and umbrella.

   An apple fell from the tree and hit an elephant. An igloo is a sturdy house. An orange is ripe when it is orange. An umbrella kept the rain off my head.

5. An exception is when the letter "u" makes the same sound as the "y" in you, or an "o" makes the same sound as "w" in won, then use the article "a."

   union, united, unicorn, used, U.S., one

   A union soldier lived to tell the tale.
   It's important to show a united front.
   A unicorn has one horn, unless it has two.
   A used book is just as good as a new book.
   A U.S. flag was flying overhead.
   A one-armed paper hanger was as busy as a bee.

Tips & Warnings

• Say the word out loud. If the word sounds like a vowel, use "an" in front of it.

• Say the word out loud. If the word sounds like a consonant, use "a" before it.

• Thanks to http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/esl/esliart.html.

• A person who practices these rules may become an expert!

Resources

• English Grammar for Dummies